Jauz—aka DJ/producer/programmer Sam Vogel—is an established fixture in the EDM scene, with a resume that includes collaborating with Skrillex and releasing music on labels run by such acclaimed producers as Diplo and Borgore. You probably bumped up against someone you wanted to know better while his track “Feel The Volume” was playing at full blast.

Before his days making the bass-bins flex, Jauz was down with the metal. One of his favorite bands were Michigan metalcore force We Came As Romans, and he had struck up a friendship with WCAR’s Kyle Pavone. Jauz was also friends with Leighton James, one half of the Montreal-based, rock-turned-electro duo Adventure Club. Jauz, James and Pavone had a mutual admiration society for each other, which led to the three of them teaming up for “Frequency,” a track from Jauz’s debut album, The Wise And The Wicked, issued on his Bite This label this Friday.

Today, AP is premiering “Frequency” ahead of its release tomorrow. What follows is Jauz’s remembrance of coming up through the scene, meeting Pavone and how the WCAR singer’s life and untimely death has impacted him.

“Frequency” was a song that was so important to me because it involves three people who have been a part of my musical journey and life for so long. A lot of people don’t know this, but Leighton from Adventure Club was one of the first people in the world to ever give me feedback on a song of mine, I think when I was like 16 years old. That was one of those moments I realized that maybe I could really do this whole music thing.On the other hand, Kyle was someone whose music I’ve listened to since I was 14. We Came As Romans were and are one of my favorite metal bands of all time, and becoming friends with Kyle when I was 19 was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do.

I was so, so nervous about meeting him, and after 10 minutes of hanging out we were already friends. He was such a sweet, inviting guy who wanted to be friends with every single person he met.The AC guys also knew Kyle through their metal background, and once we started working on “Frequency” together, we knew there was no one other than Kyle we wanted to do vocals for the record. All three of us were such huge fans of his music. Kyle and I had planned on doing something together for so long, and this finally felt like the right moment.

He flew out to L.A. and recorded the vocals with me in just a few hours, and the whole song just clicked. The gang vocals chorus that Kyle and I added into the song really gave it that metalcore/electronic fusion that we were aiming for, and it felt like I had finally achieved my teenage dream of writing a metalcore record, but in my own way.This song was already so close to my heart, but with Kyle’s passing just a few days ago it has taken on a whole new meaning. He was such an incredible, talented, hilarious, inspiring dude, and it’s bullshit that he isn’t here anymore.

Even writing this now I still can’t really accept that I won’t be able to perform this song with him again, spend another day hanging with him or just be able to tell him one last time how much of an inspiration and role model he was to me, growing up and now. I tried to tell him so many times, but he was too humble of a guy to even really listen.

Every time I listen to “Frequency,” I’ll be able to hear Kyle talking to me. Every time I play it at a show, I’ll be able to see him walking on top of the crowd just like he did at so many WCAR shows, and at my first show I played in Detroit. It’s gonna hurt really fucking bad at first, but knowing that I have something to remember and feel connected to him with for the rest of my life means so much to me.

It made me realize how important it is to take every opportunity life throws at you. What if Kyle hadn’t decided to fly to L.A. because he was too busy? What if I had decided to blow off his texts because I had just gotten off tour and wanted to relax?

There are so many things in life you think will be around forever, and the next instant they can be gone. Kyle taught me so many things about life and music, and I guess I can thank him for teaching me one more lesson before he moved on.

My thoughts, love, prayers and condolences are with Kyle’s brother, Connor, his father, friends and family and all the guys from WCAR. If I’m hurting this much, I can’t imagine what all of you are going through. I know Kyle would want us all to be happy when we think of him, and I hope listening to “Frequency” can help you do that just a little bit. I know he loved this record as much as Leighton, Christian and I do, and I’m so honored to be able to celebrate Kyle’s life and legacy with it.

Check out “Frequency” below.

Pavone joined Jauz onstage at Electric Forest this past June in WCAR’s home state of Michigan as the DJ played the then unreleased track to festival-goers. You can see video of the moment below.

“Frequency” is taken from Jauz’s upcoming concept album The Wise And The Wicked. The record is split into two parts, an experimental and emotional-led “The Wise” section and upbeat party tracks under “The Wicked.” You can preorder the album here and check out the full track listing below.

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